What Maisie Knew (2013)

Summary: Julianne Moore, Alexander Skarsgård and Steve Coogan star in a darkly comic but emotionally authentic film about a six-year-old living through a bitter divorce between her rock-icon mother and distracted father. As Maisie is shuttled back and forth, she relies more and more on her parents’ new partners, who are themselves falling in love.

Directors Scott McGehee and David Siegel (The Deep End, Suture) draw powerful performances from a stellar cast, with a knockout turn by young Onata Aprile. Told from Maisie’s perspective, the film delicately portrays a girl who is eager for love and must claim it where she can. Without demonising any of the characters, What Maisie Knew is an insightful look at the impact of divorce, finding tenderness and joy as well as sadness..